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Isle of Man no longer a tax haven under Treasury deal

Your Money
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Your Money
Posted:
Updated:
20/02/2013

Britons concealing money in the Isle of Man have three years to own up and get their financial house in order, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has announced.

This warning comes after a bilateral agreement was struck between the Treasury and Manx authorities, which will see an automatic exchange of information on people who have bank accounts on the island. 

It is anticipated that the deal could boost the UK’s coffers by hundreds of millions of pounds.

Stephen Barratt, private client director at accountants James Cowper, said: “We are seeing that the Government is becoming increasingly proactive in its drive to root out tax evaders.

“This is the first Crown dependency to aid the clamp down on people avoiding their taxes and it puts pressure on other tax havens to follow suit.

“Investors and account holders will have the opportunity to pay a discounted penalty when the disclosure opportunity opens in April.

“After 2016, penalties will be much higher and for those who would rather bury their heads in the sand; there will be the possibility of a criminal investigation.”

Individuals who think they might owe tax, and have not already started to deal with it are being urged to get in touch with an tax advisor or accountant before making a voluntary declaration.

The Government is also said to be holding talks with the authorities in Jersey and Guernsey about improving the exchange of financial information.